Victorian grassland earless dragon population discovered

It is big news today that a small reptile not seen in Victoria for over 50 years and thought to be extinct in the wild has been rediscovered, a  population of Victorian grassland earless dragon. Listed as a critically endangered species this species were last sighted near Geelong in 1969. Read the press release here and an interesting article in The Conversation

As with too many of our VVP grassland species their numbers declined as a result of habitat loss through development, predators like foxes and feral cats and lack of appropriate native grassland management. A conservation breeding program is being established by Zoos Victoria but we know there will have to be  very serious funding and ongoing political commitment to ensure ongoing survival of the population.

 

Winter sunshine in the grasslands

Almost 40 people made their way to the Shelford CFA Station on Wednesday 14 June to be part of a well-planned and facilitated experiential fire ecology field day. Once we had donned our creative name tags, we explored a range of opportunities, challenges and insights relating to using fire to care for the native temperate grasslands of the Victorian Volcanic Plains.

name tags made from sections of blackwood

Grassland sign

What next for the Linear Reserve Project?

We have received this message from Ammie Jackson,  “you’ll find lots of information in our latest newsletter, including the news that my time with the project and DEECA has come to end.”

Many of you will be disappointed by the news that the funding has come to an end for this project and that we may lose the knowledge and skill of Ammie from DEECA. We wish her well and thank her work on this project.

Five years was a good run in the scheme of things and it added to a previous project, but we know you can’t walk away from grassland management. We hope it is a temporary setback and funding will be found to continue improving the native grasslands on our high value roadsides. One of Ammie’s last actions was to help organise an innovative fire ecology day at the Shelford CFA station, more in our next post.

Save the date

The Woorndoo Chatsworth Landcare Group is planning a celebration!

It is 10 years since the Group sowed the first of its multi-species grassland restorations.

Friday 27 October 2023 at Woorndoo Recreation Reserve and associated sites   

A program of speakers and site visits (Woorndoo and Wickliffe) will follow nearer the time

Gardens for Wildlife: Victorian Volcanic Plains

Gardens for Wildlife: Victorian Volcanic Plains

There is a lot of interest from gardeners on how to make their gardens more suitable for wildlife. Here is a new guide brought to us by the Lismore Land Protection Group in Corangamite Shire. Gardens for Wildlife: Victorian Volcanic Plains

Choosing native plants for our gardens is a great way to encourage species to return to landscapes and provide food and habitat for native animals. Adding a native grassland patch is also a good way to raise awareness and start conversations about the value of endangered Victorian Volcanic Plain species and ecosystems.

Winter Edition of Plains Facts

Here is the link to the Winter Edition with lots of grassland news PLAINSFACTS-NEWSLETTER_WINTER 2023

There are links to previous editions on our website.